Its smart exterior hides one of the (if not the) nicest interiors in the class, with all the soft-touch plastics, cold-feeling metals and classy trim finishes that are seen across the rest of the Audi range.

A spacious interior makes this car perfect for families and the Q5 offers a bigger boot than either the Audi A4 saloon or A4 Avant estate, while passengers also get more headroom. And four-wheel drive isn’t just useful for added grip in slippery conditions – it also means the Q5 can tow heavier caravans and trailers than a standard estate car.

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As part of the Volkswagen Group, Audi has access to some of the best engines currently built and the 2.0-litre diesel is an excellent match for the Q5. It allows the Audi to get from 0-62mph in nine seconds flat, while returning fuel economy of close to 50mpg.

Audi has a reputation for producing stiffly sprung cars – and the Q5 doesn’t break with this tradition. Stick to the smaller-wheeled version if you’re looking for a comfortable ride. Also, the Q5 isn’t as much fun to drive as the BMW X3 or as good off-road as the Land Rover Freelander, but it strikes a good balance between the two while always feeling safe and secure to drive.

What the others say

Excellent road manners show where the Q5 is designed to work best. With positive steering and tight body control the Audi has the kind of car-like precision that its prestige rivals can’t match from behind the wheel. Ride comfort is firm but well judged damping deals with bumps effectively.

Audi has set its sights high with the Q5 - and it's managed to score a direct hit thanks to its 4x4's superb comfort, space and quality. If only the cars with the semi-automatic gearbox were a little smoother when taking off from a standstill.